The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.

At the same time, the CERT program was designed as a grassroots initiative and specifically structured so that the local and state program managers have the flexibility to form their programs in the way that best suits their communities. CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly, and effectively to emergency situations, but they can also support their communities during non-emergency events as well. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide, with more than 600,000 individuals trained since CERT became a national program.

CERT training will be Saturday February 17, 2018 and Sunday February 18, 2018 at the Weston Lakes Country Club at 32611 FM 1093 Road in Weston Lakes (Fulshear address) from 8: 00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Light breakfast will be included in the training and lunch will be provided (buffet.) Cost is $11 per person but Simonton Emergency Operations Committee will cover all Simonton participants’ lunches. If you are interested in attending, please contact Ed Norman at the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management by phone at 281-342-6185, or email at oem@co.fort-bend.tx.us.

As you may or may not have heard, there is a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. The following is from NOAA:“there is a tropical system in the Gulf that is likely to becomeTropical Storm Cindy moves a bit more west of forecast and makeslandfall over or west of the Galveston Bay region…bands ofthunderstorms rotating around this system could lead to periods offlooding. An average 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected throughFriday…generally east of the Interstate 45 corridor. Again…higherrainfall amounts can be expected if the anticipated storm movesmore west of north.”

There are many different resources to help you prepare for an emergency. Remember to keep:Food and Water• 3-day supply of food that needs no cooking• 1 gallon of water per day for each person• Manual can opener• Baby items (baby food, formula, bottles)• Pet Supplies

More information on emergency preparedness and resource checklists can be found at:

On April 11, 2017, there was significant rainfall in the Brazos River Watershed to the north of us in the Waco area. At this time, there is no anticipated emergency, but the river is going to rise and your Emergency Management Board is monitoring the situation.Please check the city website for updated information ( www.simontontexas.gov ). If you are not already receiving Blackboard notifications from the city, but would like to, please call city hall at 281-533-9809 or email cityhall@simontontexas.gov and give them your Name, Cell Number, and Email Address.

It is a holiday weekend, so if you have plans to go out of town, you may want to notify a neighbor and/or check-in periodically over the weekend.

Also please make sure your ditches are free of debris and construction materials are secured as to not obstruct culverts.

Again, the city and the Emergency Management Team is monitoring the situation closely, and will provide updated information as needed.

The following survey will assist Fort Bend County departments, such as the Office of Emergency Management and Health & Human Services, plan how to assist people with functional and medical needs in the county during an emergency or natural disaster.

This survey is not a request for hurricane evacuation transportation, since Fort Bend County is not an evacuation county. However, if severe weather is anticipated, or if there is severe wind damage or flooding after a storm, some people may need to be moved to a safer place.

During a disaster or an emergency, people with functional and medical needs may require assistance if they experience power outages, need medications or need medical support. This survey will help us identify people who may need assistance during an emergency and assist us in planning for such an event.

If you have a disability, use medical equipment at home, are hearing or vision impaired, or are elderly, and anticipate needing assistance please complete the following survey.

Information included in the City of Simonton website and all city web applications is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. The City of Simonton is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If any errors are noted within any city department website or application, then please notify the City. The documents posted on the City of Simonton website are not official documents and are made available as a convenience.

The City of Simonton website provides external website links so that users can find reference material on related subjects. The City of Simonton does not own nor control linked sites and therefore is not responsible for the content included in them. Additionally, the City of Simonton does not endorse externally linked websites.